You tax my vocabulary, David Archuleta. I’ve run out of words to describe that thing you do to us when you sing. That magic you make. That spell you cast.

I’d bet many Canadians tuned into the ALMAs last night to see Nelly Furtado perform and ended up under your spell, instead.

7 things to love aboutContigo:

1) The introduction. There was no mention of A.I. or the words “runner up,” only a warm, heartfelt welcome to the stage. “We are very proud to recognize the accomplishments of a very special young man. Please welcome the recipient of the Year in Music NCLR New Artist Award, David Archuleta.”

2) The first line. “No existe un momento del dia
En que pueda apartarte de mi” (“There’s no moment of the day
That you could drift apart from me”). He had us at “No existe.” Soft yet strong, tender as an embrace, it was his “Once upon a time…” that took us by the hand and led us into the story of the song.

3) Lone guitar. The ideal minimalist accompaniment to showcase David’s vocals (which were so overwhelming I had to replay it to convince myself there wasn’t also a string section or horns off stage).

4) Spontaneous applause during the third verse. At “Es que te has convertido En parte de mi alma” (“You have become part of my heart/soul”), the intensity and passion rang so true, I felt an electric charge jolt through me and, clearly, so did the audience.

5) Looking up to the stars on “las estrellas.” That move took us up to the stars with him, but subtly, with restraint — a grown-up glimmer of the youthful gestures David uses in his live shows. Demonstrating his impeccable instinct for calibrating his performance for each audience, venue and occasion.

6) Panther-like movement. The rise from the stool, the Archustrut to one side, the rhumba-like step back and stroll to centre stage – masterful and commanding. The opposite of awkward.

7) The song. Oh my. Each exquisite note caressed with love. The embellishments of David’s youthful version stripped away to reveal the beating heart of that song. Written in 1950 by Cuba’s César Portillo de la Luz, it’s a timeless classic dear to the Latino community and it took courage and cojones to sing it for them. He could have also wowed the crowd with Angels or ZG – something to promote his own releases. But no, he offered up a gift to that community, and by doing so, a gift to us all.

19 Responses to How do we love Contigo? Let me count the ways

Wow TOfan, your every point is spot on! (love you and your writing). i have been doing the errands and can not stop listening to Contigo, every where I go …. Dpod in pocket, to the grocery store, the liquor store… I can’t stay away> It is exquisite. Another treasure.

TOfan – lovely especially “He could have also wowed the crowd with Angels or ZG – something to promote his own releases. But no, he offered up a gift to that community, and by doing so, a gift to us all.”

Wonderful post TOfan! I couldn’t agree more with all of your points. That performance was bliss. I particularly love your point 6….the panther like movement across the stage. I don’t know why, but by viewing 50 of the video, I couldn’t take my eyes off of his feet!

Great post TO_fan! It was so David to sing an authentic Spanish lovesong and not a translation of one of his own. He said at one point that the Spanish version of Crush was proving difficult. You just can’t capture the essence of a song in a translation. He truly paid homage to his Latino roots.

I also noticed in his red carpet interviews that his pronunciation is stellar. Many of the ‘Latino’ celebs sounded like they spoke no Spanish. It’s also nice that, since many were hearing him for the first time, he wasn’t introduced by his Idol moniker.

Watching the vid that has the English subtiltles…. man , there are no words that I can find! Gosh, David is such an enigma. I am thankful to be a part of his journey, He keeps us up in stars, for days at a time with one song!!!
Love to hear MCL deconstruct of CEDL!
lotus-b, the feet, lol, it’s the way he slides across the stage smoooth, and in control!

Hello, i didn’t knew this site , but i’m so glad canadians have a place so thank you.
Your description is AMAZING, and point exactly every important moment in David’s performance
”He could have also wowed the crowd with Angels or ZG – something to promote his own releases. But no, he offered up a gift to that community”
I admire David for do that and recognize this part of his heritage, even before this recognizion from the ALMA Awards. He always said that for him his mother culture is and was in the past of too much influence for him like person , not all the latino singers( or latin roots singers) in the anglo market do that and speak so loud and proud of their heritage.

Veeeeeerrry beautifully written. And so true. I also loved the mmmmmm after ‘Si no estas tu tambien’ along with the mmmmm and the little smile at the end. That did remind me of the AI days, the week David sang Long and Winding Road – the little smile at the end indicating he knew he ‘nailed it’. Such an amazing breakthrough performance at the ALMAS. I can’t get enough of it.